The Logitech Revue is a big reason to get excited about Google TV, but Android fans may be disappointed with the service this year. Something we completely failed to report during the Google TV announcement was the fact that Android Market will not be available on any of the devices planned to launch this fall.

Not only will the Android Market not be included, but Android application downloads from a URL will not be officially supported. Only pre-installed applications will be available when Google TV launches.

So what is the hold up? Google wants to allow developers adequate time to test their apps so that users enjoy the best possible experience. The Google TV SDK add-on will not be available till early 2011 and then Google will roll out the Market through a future over-the-air upgrade.

It’s not clear if Google will outright block manual installation of Android apk files, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they do. I’m sure hackers will fall in love with these devices, but Google does not plan to release the source code for Google TV till sometime next year so it could be a difficult road.

If you were expecting the Android Market on your TV this year, does this news affect your buying decision at all?

Taylor is the founder of Android and Me. He resides in Dallas and carries the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and HTC One as his daily devices. Ask him a question on Twitter or Google+ and he is likely to respond. | Ethics statement

I could be wrong, but I believe that the only major component in Android that’s GPL is the Linux kernel. As long as they release (or have released) any modifications they’ve make to that they’re O.K. The Dalvik virtual machine and the Android framework itself are Apache licensed, so no source release is required by the license.

Hmmm… I’ve been thinking of purchasing a nettop for a webtv device…. maybe I should wait and get one of these. I currently have vz fios which let’s me use my Evo as a remote (really well actually) but with this I could cancel cable and just watch hulu… and still retain the phone-as-remote functionality

Not much right now… I think this is really aimed at people who don’t do that already.
However, over time, developers will come up with interesting uses and ideas for google tv, and the user experience will eventually surpass what you have right now.
I’m already running everything on my tv through a computer, so I’m holding off for a while.
I actually kind of wonder if Google TV will be available as an application that we can install on a computer if we already have it hooked up to the tv anyhow, since I don’t see a point in buying new hardware for that.

Absolutely! I understand why… but @ the same time why would I want a halfass product? I mean android on my 50″ would be sweet. But what good would it be with out screen support for the apps. Or apps at all.

This absolutely affects my decision. I was already hugely on the edge in between the Boxee Box & GoogleTV, and having it run the Android ecosystem of apps was the thing that was pushing me way over to GoogleTV.

Would you want an Android smartphone with pre-installed apps that doesn’t let you get to the market or install any other apps?

I will will wait till they show how this will integrate with gaming consoles. We use our PS3 with a server to stream Video from it and from the web. We also use the X360 in our room to stream there. I like the idea of the Gtv, but till more info is released im waiting this one out.